Compressor regulator and filter restrictions

[WherEmEweeD]

I'm looking to install a 100L 11cfm compressor for lvlp painting.
I want to maintain the best flow. The lvlp gun has a 1/4inch fitment.

Should i run 3/8 or 1/4 inch hose to my wall filter / regulator?

The wall filter and regulator should i use 3/8 inch sizes to maintain the best flow ?
Thanks for any advice i'm very new to this air stuff.

 

[not done it yet]

WEED,

3/8” diameter has over twice the area (x2 1/4 times) of 1/4”. Choice of 3/8” tubing will obviously present much reduced resistance to air flow. Any filtration will also present some pressure loss. 1/2” diameter , for fixed piping, would be an even more favourable choice.

However, length of piping/hose is also an important factor - if flow is marginal, the pressure regulator must be close to the point of use (to reduce the air velocity within the system at the higher pressure), not at the compressor outlet.

You need to compare the true air volumes - both produced and used. These are often actually incompatible due to differing standards of reporting/claiming - particularly where chinese values are concerned. I immediately suspect the compressor output, for instance, as you provide no specific information for this compressor.

The 100l value quoted is not relevant - particularly if continuous operation is required - the receiver is only a short term buffer-stock of compressed air. It is mostly just another marketing ploy. It will relate to run-time for the compressor to recharge the receiver, or time before the pump restarts for any given air usage.

I don’t know, for sure, but suspect most newbies try to economise on plant size and are often eventually disappointed by the performance of the kit installed.

 

[WherEmEweeD]

Not done it yet,
Wow thanks for the in depth response this really helps me (as the master newb) put together the little knowledge i have researched recently.
I live on a farm and have always owned a sealey 25L 1.5hp 2005 model number sa2225 (manual attached) i have worked out this yoke aint gonna get the juices flowing to create a nice picture even with its manufacture "rated" cfm 5.8 or 2.5 bar cfm 5.5 or 6.5 bar cfm 4.9.
I'm looking atleast a 100l tank with the highest power pump/motor i can run on my 1 phase that lead me to the B3800B 3hp motor that you see on most compressors rated for 14cfm displaced 10.7cfm fad prob more like 8cfm (but hard to really know)

With that in mind i want to ask a few follow up questions, say this is my set up. Compressor in the loft above my workshop (wide open reg) 3/8 inch bsp to 10m retractable hose with 5/16 ID, to 3/8 inch bsp air filter/water separator on the wall to 10m 3/8 inch 5/16 ID hose to 3/8 inch mini gun regulator to my Burisch gtr500 1.4 and 1.8 nozzle lvlp spray gun.
What do you think would i be able to keep enough pressure and flow with this setup?
Is there any better solutions for water separation ?

I really don't want to be disappointed by the performance of the kit so i will get the proper gear for the job. Thank you for taking the time to help me I have already come so far with the information you have relayed to me and iam starting to feel confidence in splashing some cash for this new hobby.

 

[MetalMonkey]

A lot depends on the length of the run - a wider bore has less resistance, which mounts up over a long run.

For fixed rigid piping around the workshop to your regulator, 1/2" or 3/4" is really the best bet.

The you can choose which hose you want to plug in, 3/8 is a good choice for air tools, for spraying you may find the hose too heavy.
I tend to go for a PVC 5/16 (8mm) for spraying as it is very lightweight and easy to control - it does snag and loop easily and difficult to coil, so a pain for day to day use.
For general use I use a thicker 3/8 synthetic rubber which is much more durable and lays flat a lot easier, but is far too heavy and difficult to move smoothly when attached to a spray gun.
Its also a good idea to keep a separate dedicated air hose for spraying, so there is never any chance it can get any oil in it from air tools.

A small pressure gauge on the inlet of the gun is useful, so you can set an accurate pressure at the gun, rather than at the regulator.

You can build your own water separator/air drying setup using some runs of copper pipe to drop out the majority of water in the air prior to it reaching your regulator/filer.
There are quite a few threads on here, I made one and it does work well.
PCL also do a product called dropout, which is supposed to be quite effective too.
Basically, anything you can do to remove as much moisture from the air before it enters the regulator is going to help.

 

[WherEmEweeD]

A lot depends on the length of the run - a wider bore has less resistance, which mounts up over a long run.

For fixed rigid piping around the workshop to your regulator, 1/2" or 3/4" is really the best bet.

The you can choose which hose you want to plug in, 3/8 is a good choice for air tools, for spraying you may find the hose too heavy.
I tend to go for a PVC 5/16 (8mm) for spraying as it is very lightweight and easy to control - it does snag and loop easily and difficult to coil, so a pain for day to day use.
For general use I use a thicker 3/8 synthetic rubber which is much more durable and lays flat a lot easier, but is far too heavy and difficult to move smoothly when attached to a spray gun.
Its also a good idea to keep a separate dedicated air hose for spraying, so there is never any chance it can get any oil in it from air tools.

A small pressure gauge on the inlet of the gun is useful, so you can set an accurate pressure at the gun, rather than at the regulator.

You can build your own water separator/air drying setup using some runs of copper pipe to drop out the majority of water in the air prior to it reaching your regulator/filer.
There are quite a few threads on here, I made one and it does work well.
PCL also do a product called dropout, which is supposed to be quite effective too.
Basically, anything you can do to remove as much moisture from the air before it enters the regulator is going to help.

Wow that is gold Thanks so much, Copper piping sounds a far better system with less issues arising down the line, time to do some research into installing copper lines with a water trap.

 

[WherEmEweeD]

Would it be worthwhile having a condenser running in the surroundings of the compressor?

 

[Jack_K]

3/8 or larger is what I would use between the compressor and regulator depending on the distance. I would get the regulator as close to the gun as possible (right near the spraying area). Then I would still use 3/8 hose to the gun, I made one just long enough to go around a car with the regulator on the wall next to it.